Trump threatens to “cut off all trade with Spain” for refusing to allow use of bases against Iran

Eduardo González US President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to “cut off all trade with Spain” in retaliation for the decision by Pedro Sánchez's government not to allow the use of the Morón and Rota military bases for the offensive against Iran. The Government has responded to these threats by warning that “Spain will not accept blackmail” and reiterating that any review of trade must respect “the bilateral agreements between the EU and the United States.” Trump made these remarks during his meeting at the White House with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, when, after praising the German government, he went on to describe the relationship with Spain as “unfriendly.” It was at that moment that, unexpectedly, his temper flared. “They have good people, but terrible leadership. We saw that when we wanted them to dedicate five percent to defense in NATO,” Trump said about Spain. “It all started when I asked every European country to reach five percent, which is what they should be doing. Germany was enthusiastic, they all were. Spain wasn't,” he recalled. “Now he’s even said we can’t use their bases. We could use their bases if we wanted, we could fly there and use them. Nobody’s going to tell us not to use them,” he continued. “Spain has been terrible, so we’re going to cut off all trade with them. We don’t want anything to do with them,” he asserted. “I could stop everything related to Spain, all business related to Spain, I have the right to stop it. Embargoes. I do whatever I want with them, and we could do it with Spain. We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain,” he added. For his part, Merz, who listened silently to the US president’s remarks, simply pointed out that Spain is the “only country” in NATO that has not accepted the increase in defense spending to five percent. “We have to convince them because we all have to contribute to common security,” he added. The German chancellor is the first European leader to visit the White House since the US and Israeli offensive against Iran. Government response In response to Trump's threats, sources at Moncloa Palace have warned that “if the US administration wants to review trade, it must respect international law, business autonomy, and the bilateral agreements between the EU and the United States.” Similarly, a spokesperson for the European Commission defended Spain, asserting that the EU executive “will always ensure that the interests of the European Union are fully protected.” “We expect the United States to fulfill its commitments under the 2025 trade agreement,” the spokesperson added. For her part, Second Vice President and leader of Sumar, Yolanda Díaz, wrote on the social network Bluesky that “Spain will not accept blackmail or lectures from an aggressor country.” “If the United States wants an ally, they should start by respecting our sovereignty and international law,” she added. Regarding Trump's remarks, the leader of the People's Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, declared that the foreign policy of Pedro Sánchez's government is "a constant irresponsibility" and warned that "frivolity has consequences." "If Iran thanks you and the United States considers you a terrible ally, you have failed," he added, addressing Sánchez. "Spain will once again take its place in Europe, in NATO, and everywhere else, always on the side of freedom and against tyrants," Feijóo declared, calling on Spain's allies to "respect our nation" and asserting that "Spain is a reliable country, committed to freedom and Western values." Albares does not expect any US retaliation Trump's words come after Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares insisted this Tuesday that Spain will not allow the United States to use the Morón and Rota military bases for the offensive against Iran and assured that the government does not expect "absolutely" any retaliation from Washington. "The bases for joint use with the United States are Spanish sovereign bases that operate within the framework of the treaty with the United States, and it is within this premise of our sovereignty and the framework of the treaty that they can be used," Albares declared during the press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting, referring to the Defense Cooperation Agreement, which governs bilateral military cooperation and stipulates that any use of the two bases by Washington for operations not foreseen in said agreement must have Spain's approval. "Therefore, there is nothing strange or surprising, and we do not expect any consequences at all," he continued. “I believe that Spain’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security and the fact that Spain is a committed and reliable ally are absolutely beyond question for everyone,” he added. In any case, he clarified, “I have not had any conversation with any American representative nor received any request in this regard.”

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